Like much of the country, Republicans swept races in Nevada last night. Reno Public Radio's Will Stone reports.
You can check out all Nevada election results hereor Washoe County results here. Also, Will Stone's in-depth interview with Political Scientist Fred Lokken offers analysis on what the GOP's many victories mean for Nevada.
It's no surprise Governor Brian Sandoval was at the podium giving his victory speech early into election night, but few anticipated so many others in the GOP would be alongside him doing the same.
"Want to know what really makes me happy? To be able to have a Republican majority in our state senate," Sandoval says. "We might also have a Republican majority in the state assembly. We might sweep every constitutional office for Republicans. "
Hours later, once the votes were in, it became clear the GOP had pulled off a massive sweep: seizing control of both chambers in Carson City, every constitutional office, including attorney general, even an unexpected congressional seat in Southern Nevada where Republican Cresent Hardy unseated Democratic incumbent Stephen Horsford.
And as Sandoval spoke, you could already hear the legacy building.
"We've been given a rare opportunity. An opportunity to lead. A once in a generational opportunity."
Following the governor, his new second-in-command, Mark Hutchison, took the stage, proclaiming he stood on the shoulders of giants: Governor Brian Sandoval and Senator Dean Heller.
Indeed, many a candidate benefited from the governor being on the top of the ticket, especially given the national climate, so says Sam Kumar the head of the Washoe GOP.
"Governor Sandoval provided a great contrast to the President and he has shown a willingness to work across party lines."
But more than simply Sandoval's staying power, it was the dismal turnout among Democrats and dissatisfaction with national figures, like President Obama and Harry Reid, that propelled the Republicans to victory here.
Just ask Republican Assemblyman Ira Hansen, who easily won his mostly rural district in the north.
"The Democratic Party is totally demoralized at the moment. And, remember, the turnout for our party wasn't that great. It was horrible for the Democrats and for our's it was mediocre," Hansen says. "There's no indication there was this great euphoria for the Republican position. It was more like the Democrats just said our guys are worthless and I'm going to stay home and not vote."
Hansen says it's going to take some time to adjust to not being in the minority and chart out what the party wants to accomplish in the next legislative session.
Complete control of Carson City is a game changer for Republicans. In fact, the last time the governor, speaker of the assembly and majority leader were all Republicans was 1929, according to the secretary of the senate.
"We're now in the driver's seat. Where do we want the vehicle to go? It's not going to be some crazy, radical agenda. It's going to be reasonable, but it's definitely going to be something that makes our constituents happy."
Hansen and other Washoe County Republicans watched the developments down south with excitement as many hotly contested legislative seats turned red. One of those was between Democratic incumbent Justin Jones and challenger Becky Harris. Jones was considered particularly vulnerable after backing gun legislation last session.
But, up north, the GOP also pulled off a longtime goal: to take over Democrat Skip Daley's district, covering much of Sparks. The county party invested heavily in that race and it paid off when Jill Dickman, a small business owner, won.
"I think people are tired of the tax and spend policies that have been the norm. I think people want to see the economy improving."
In the end, voter turnout in this election was under 50 percent, with the numbers particularly bad in Clark County, a stronghold for Democrats.
But the generalized frustration among voters was clear across the state. Standing outside a polling station in Reno, earlier in the day, Paul Romero, who usually splits his ticket, said, this time, he ended up voting mostly for Republicans.
"I don't think the people who label themselves as change actually want change."
And now voters have put their trust in Nevada: the red state.
